One of the league's most improved players in the second half of the season nabbed the Rising Star award on Monday night. Wangaratta's Ky Williamson beat a quality field, including last year's under 18 best and fairest and Rovers' team-mate Ed Dayman. IN OTHER NEWS: Dayman had an outstanding season until a second dislocated shoulder ended his year against Wodonga Raiders on July 20. The fact Williamson toppled the giant Dayman, along with other contenders - Yarrawonga duo Jack Sexton and Ned Mullins, plus classy Wangaratta forward Harry Smart - is testament to the Hawk's improvement. Still eligible for under 18s, Williamson played three reserve grade games this season until his form forced selectors to pick him. He featured in the club's best in four successive games midway through the year, but it was his performances in the final two rounds which confirmed his rising reputation. Williamson was the club's best in their do-or-die clash with flag fancies Wangaratta and followed it with another five-star display against Yarrawonga. Rovers looked shot at three-quarter time, trailing by 22 points, but it was Williamson's coolness which played a leading role in the revival. "Ky Williamson's from in the last six weeks has been incredible," coach Daryn Cresswell said at the time. Meanwhile, North Albury's Mia Duryea claimed netball's Rising Star. Duryea, the daughter of Albury premiership midfielder Marc, toppled the field comprising team-mate Breanna Heagney, Wangaratta's Amelia Reilly, Wodonga's Maddie McFarlane and Tilly Kennedy of Yarrawonga, who boasts a stack of A grade experience. The goal attack showed her class, including the round 18 win over Wodonga Raiders. The favourites just needed to win to claim a finals berth, but North posted an upset with Duryea snaring 17 goals. The teenager has shown an ability to remain calm under pressure with her accuracy playing a vital role in the Hoppers' season. Duryea finished seventh in the league's goal shooting, with 359 from 529 attempts, at a highly credible 68 per cent, averaging 20 goals per game.